Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Last weekend we celebrated my little girl's first birthday. It's hard to believe that she is one already.

For her party I had been planning to do a pink and brown giraffe theme. I mean planning since before she was even born. A few weeks before the party I found some amazing fabric and all my plans changed. I still incorporated the pink and brown and a few giraffes but it was more about fun colors and simple sweetness.

Here's the cute clothespin doll I made to go on top of the cake. I used my fun fabric to make her dress. I debated about putting a package in her hand or a sign or a balloon but I then decided on the candle. It's practical and cute!

The cake is two tall 6 inch layers of chocolate coconut cake with butter cream icing. I did a ganache drip on top mostly because I love the taste but I also love the simplicity of it. If you have been following this blog for a long time, I am sure you have noticed that I have not always been into "simplicity"...well, life has gotten full and simplicity is a must these days! I guess I proved to myself I *could* make a fancy cake of any kind and now I am more interested in making a great tasting, beautiful cake without losing too much sleep!

This is Cait's "smash cake" I used a round cookie cutter to make this. I cut three rounds out of a thin flat cake and stacked them up. This is a great option when you don't have a teeny pan. (Or when you've misplaced yours, eh-hem...)

The giraffe on top was a ready to finish wood toy at Michaels. Can't remember what those bendy toys are called?

Here's the little birthday baby taking a first lick...

Taking off her giraffe so she can get to business!

There they are, the big cake and the tiny smash cake perched on the pretty sweets table. I'll share more about that really soon!

Poupee Girl Party Pics are up over at Fig & Ruby. Go check them out for an explanation of what in the world I am talking about!!

Seashells are important to Poupee Girl so it seemed fitting that we make the cookie favors seashells. I bought little zip bags, plopped one cookie in each bag, folded cute paper over the bag and stapled. I actually gave this job to my 6 year old...it's that easy!

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Hi! I am in the throws of preparing for my sister's "Poupee Girl Dress Up Party". The color scheme is aqua and pink with an Asian flair. When I came across this yesterday it took my breath away! How can I ever begin to live up to the likes of Amy Atlas? The girl is UNREAL! I am not going to try to attain this level of Fantabulous-ness but I sure am gonna appreciate it...and perhaps drool a little bit...and daydream a lot...and maybe even lose a little sleep at night...

Delighted to have you!

An Introduction

Hello! I am Colleen Banman. I love cake. I love the smell of it baking in the oven, I love the taste of a balanced bite of both cake and butter cream icing...but most of all I love the feelings that are wrapped around the events that involve cake. Birthdays and weddings and baby showers and anniversaries are not complete without cake. When a cake is ordered it is because somebody is thinking about a person that they love. I love that cake can send a message!

About Me

Hey! I'm Colleen. I grew up on Lucky Charms and Twix Bars so eating clean has not come naturally to me. When I was a young bride, my skills in the kitchen included making toast or Mac and Cheese. Fifteen years, lots of learning and 6 kids later, making quality food for my family has become a priority in my life. Over the years I have learned to make a few tasty things. After all, a girl who got to eat rainbow shaped marshmallows for breakfast growing up isn't going to give up the concept of food being fun and delicious! Come join me as I attempt to write down what works for us. I hope you will find yourself encouraged and inspired!